Meier & Matson Family History

Meier Family History
Babies were baptized, marriages preformed and sacraments distributed. On this day, the parish was founded. From this
day forward, Father Pierz came to conduct services in the homes of Frank Weber, Peter Lorsung and the Miller’s home.
(Source: Our Founder’s Legacy)
One outdoor afternoon in late summer of 1866, settlers were enjoying a religious service on the spacious prairie of
Constant Cichy and his wife Katherine. All had come by wagon and foot with food in hand enough for two days. In this
general meeting ideas and plans for a township were exchanged freely. Plans were made to organize their town, naming
it Millerville after the John A. Miller who was the leader of the German settlers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
immediately after the end of the Civil War. The first recorded meeting was held on April 17, 1878. (Source: Our
Founder’s Legacy)
“Eighteen months had elapsed since John A. Miller and John Lorsung came to the area which was now officially named
Millerville. In the spring of 1868, one year after Father Pierz had founded the Parrish, all plans were made to build a log
church. The timbers were taken from the land of John Hockert, an unmarried man. Sawed boards, nails, shingles and
windows came from St. Cloud, by oxen team. August 14, 1868 their church was finished. The altar was a table built of
the remnant boards, as well as laid out for the flooring. There was no money for pews, so boards supported by wood
blocks served as pews. The faithful knelt on splintery boards giving thanks. The building of the church was a community
event, any giving up of their valuable time of clearing land for their crops and gave instead to the labor and construction.
On August 15 1868, with great pride, the community celebrated with Father Pierz in their completed building. Both the
mother of Johann Lorsung, and John A. Miller donated each 20 acres to the church. This was intended to assist in the
support of the church. The church was given the impressive name of Prairie De St. Marie O’ Chippewa by Father Pierz.
In 1880 a belfry was added. This same bell is still calling parishioners to worship.” (Helen Joos Cichy)
“Father Pierz was accustomed to a harsh life in Minnesota wilderness and mother surprised him. He obviously had a
keen sense of humor when his best intentions backfired. Whether a home had a floor or not, all had a pit beneath where
root vegetables and turnips were stored, and covered by a board. This space was covered with a trap door of hewn logs or
boards. A heavy table set upon this door. With all these fine preparations it was considered a good home for Father Pierz
to stop and offer the Mass for the parishioners. As usual, Father Pierz spoke to a packed house. As he turned to give the
final blessing, the door upon which he was standing collapsed, and down went Father Pierz into the dark pit below,
landing him on potatoes, rutabagas and cabbages. While the women wring their hands in anguish, the children cried and
the men proceeded to rescue him from this predicament. After it was found that the Missionary was none the worse for
his undignified experience, he apologized for having caused the owners so much damage to their home. Whereupon he
blessed them all again and broke for lunch. The damage was soon repaired and the table set for the usual pot luck lunch
provided by the ladies. All were hungry as many had walked many miles, and would walk many more miles for their
return home.” (Source: Our Founder’s Legacy)
“The harness maker was an important as the oxen in the development of any community. In 1873, Peter B. Lorsung, the
son of Joseph P. Lorsung and Mary Debilzan Lorsung, opened his harness making business in an existing shop. It was a
two story building, providing living accommodations above the store front below. Peter B. Lorsung purchased a business
building from the Kotchevar family, adding a line of shoes for all the families needs along with the harness shop. Peter B.
Lorsung married Mathilda Wedl of Elizabeth, Minnesota. He was fortunate to have the post office located in his new
building which had been in the Kotchevar store for many ears. Peter B., as he was known by all, became the postmaster
and held that position until the post was lost in 1907. Peter with William Glebe, manufactured cement blocks in a small
frame building on Lorsung’s lot. With these blocks he constructed a comfortable home for their family, as well as
provided the cement blocks to build the new public school. Peter B. Lorsung conducted his extensive business, held
public offices, served on the school board and served his community well until his death in June 17, 1916.” (Source: Our
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